need help developing a htpasswd script

[scrupul0us]

ive been looking around for a script to create/manage htaccess & htpasswd files for user authentication and havent found anything useful...

im want it to interface with my linux backend (not just dump info the screen for copy/paste) to read/write/control files

ive tried putzing around and only really come up with this:

<?php
$output = shell_exec('htpasswd');
echo "<pre>$output</pre>";
?> 

i know its "nothing" but i cant even capture CLI interaction (it outputs NOTHING)

if anyone can give me some pointers on how to start this id appreciate the help please

[rincewind456]

Don't know if this is of any use http://www.free2code.net/plugins/articles/read.php?id=98

[scrupul0us]

Nope.. that just makes available for copy paste...

I guess what i really need todo is find out:

-how to interact the shell command with the htpasswd command

-what user does php run as on a linux machine

stuff like that

im looking to just make a front end for working with the htaccess, htpass, htpasswd files